Noah Dosser

That's a very valid point. I was a bit annoyed about the original post as I feel the player was in denial 're the real reason for not featuring @ Dens and forgot he was still under contract. If he doesn't get moved on he is going to have to produce the mother of all pre seasons at Well as imho he must be behind the likes of Reid, Kerr and Murray now.

Utter drivel, who told you that ? The player himself? Neither Brown nor Hartley rated him , once they worked with him, hence hardly any football played since Jan. He went there as part of the deal with McHugh, but as we all know that fell foul of ludicrous legislation. He did himself no favours at Dundee with his big time attitude and was found out by 2, not just1, coaches. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see him released in the next few weeks.

This 100%

Gutted for the wee fella and hope he comes back fit and well. His injury got me thinking about the run of injuries the 3 boys born in 94 who came up through the ranks have suffered in the last couple of seasons. Erwin : Both knees and out for lengthy periods, especially this season when he had done well on loan at Arbroath and looked ready to kick on at FP. Moore : Broken rib and now serious knee injury, such a shame after he was becoming a 1st team squad fixture. Murray : Broken ribs and both hamstrings, the one at the start of this season especially hurtful as he was looking a good prospect. Have heard his 2nd hamstring was one of the worst JP has had to deal with. Really hard times for these youngsters trying to forge a career and hopefully they will all be stronger for the experience Would be really good if they could get a wee rub of the green next season and kick on not hampered by similar injuries.

Think you will find he was in the Louden/ Stadium Bar pre the Scottish Cup Semi between Sevco and DUFC. As someone else posted he is a big Toon fan but he does have a wee soft spot for the Govanites. He was with another Well player from Englandshire. This is not internet or forum gossip. Imho he will not sign for Sevco unless there are no other offers as he doesn't want to drop down divisions. Re going down south, not sure it's a goer either as he is very settled in WoS with his partner who is a Lanarkshire girl.

Sorry mate I don't really know much about the guys below U/20' nowadays.

Haven't managed to see game yet, have it recorded from Alba, but from what I've seen of Murray pace is not an issue at all. I don't think watching U/20's I can recall anyone beating him in a foot race. Did this happen in the game yesterday ? I know Hertz have a couple of racers in Paterson and B. King did he struggle with them ? Well done to him and J Leitch coming in and not looking out of place, if the majority of comments on here are accurate.

My info is that Erwin is contracted for another year.

You are of course correct re SM not being in charge of youth development, however he does have a big say in who is signed or retained as a professional at the club.

Following 20's game on Twatter, Hollis in goals. Jack Leitch not in squad, so maybe keeping him for Saturday, just hope SM isn't thinking about putting him in at LB as Hammy and ZFA are struggling (from last night's interview).

Apologies mate, thought his first game was V Aberdeen under McCall. Nae quibble re other 2

OTF, sorry mate haven't heard about S. Ogilvie as I'm dawnn sawff at the moment and haven't been to any 20's games recently to get the goss. The guy does have a good record as you say, but if I recall maybe not best of pals with a certain current Academy Director.

Wee point here, these guys would be fine if they were setting the heather on fire, but in fairness they aren't. I am well aware not many come through from a young age but what chance do the ones that do have if players who have been released by other teams, as pro's I might add, come in and have the gaffer's favour because as is human nature he was party to bringing them in ? SM has done well, as I've said and his record speaks for itself, but juggling players around playing them out of position and not trusting the youths is his achilles heel. He has been lucky, particularly last season when Randolph, Hutchy, Las and Higdon could basically do no wrong and as importantly stayed fit . This term like it or not he has come up short against the other 'top 6' clubs. Still, all in all, the team mainly punches above its weight and continues to confound expectation.

Ya Bezzer, excellent post, cap doffed. You omitted Cummins, but that oversight apart, great stats work. Of these players Cummins, ZFA and Kerr came or returned from English teams. The 1st two mentioned being released. Hetherington was formerly at Rangers, also released and even Carswell and Moore had been at Celtc and Hertz respectively when young. There is to me an obvious lack of faith in young homegrown players shown by SM. I also get the impression he would rather put an experienced pro on the pitch when the team is pumping someone to ensure he doesn't get grief about bonuses etc, rather than blooding a young un. Big question is, are the likes of Leitch, Moore, Murray and Erwin( injury at present accepted) good enough ? No-one really knows because they do not get a sniff. (Moore apart this season) Next point; pro football is an unforgiving occupation and if the coaching staff don't trust/ rate the youth then get rid of them. Not easy in 'Well's situation but I look at other SPFL teams and when they have bitten the bullet and given the up and coming players a chance they have not been let down too often. I have seen more U19 and U20 matches than I care to remember and IMHO the 4 players I have named are as good as anyone of a similar age in the SPFL, Gauld at Dundee Utd aside. Another big problem is that the club could end up getting no money for these players should they leave on freedom of contract ( perhaps someone with a better grasp of the convoluted compensation criteria can advise) thus costing the club money re their development. I'm sure I saw somewhere Murray, for example, is out of contract this summer, and really who could blame him if he walked? The team needs freshened up and the likes of ZFA and Carswell rested, will SM and KB do this? I for one won't hold my breath. Given the current injury plight I can see Gordon Marshall in goals, Kenny Black at left back and a certain Stuart McCall in midfield for the Hertz game.

Not arguing with SM's or the team's merits which are obvious, my point is that if the younger players don't get a wee look in they are more likely to struggle when called on. Also I may be old-fashioned but why juggle players about and play them out of position quite clearly affecting the balance of the team instead of giving a younger player a run. I would also suggest that if the coaching staff don't rate them or trust them to do a job then the players should not be at the club. Given the club's financial plight surely the younger players need to feature more to see if they will make the grade rather than making 2 or 3 positional changes to answer 1 problem.

Having seen a lot of u/19 and u/20 football over the last few years I am a bit mystified by this one too. The player in question in fairness did suffer a bad injury earlier this season and that seems to have set him back a bit. I might be wrong but I think he is out of contract in summer so could just walk away anyway. Of course SM maybe doesn't fancy him as he sees him in training and in 20's matches so he may never get a proper chance. Looking at his profile though I see the 'boy' is now 20, so not really a 'youngster' imho. I have been working down south lately and only managed to see 'Well on the tv last night for the 1st time in ages. I would have thought Murray and possibly Leitch would have featured at some stage of the game. SM has to my knowledge really only brought 1 player through who was at Well as a youth for any length of time ie Stuart Carswell. Even wee Craig Moore was getting less game time prior to (as I just found out last night) his injury. I just don't think SM will risk an inexperienced player when he can find an older journeyman pro, whereas just about every other SPFL manager is doing the opposite and will no doubt reap the benefits next season and beyond as their younger players gain more experience, strength and game awareness.

What about ZFA, is he out ?

Haven't seen much of him this season but why doesn't McCall give Murray a run at RB. If I'm correct, although nominally a CB, he has played there a few times and not let himself down. Is he injured or just gone off the radar ?

Watch for him going to Tayside as well

Imho, for what it's worth, Hutchy won't be going anywhere, unless a silly offer is received and the 'Well board force him to go. The other younger guys need to be playing, so loan moves makes sense. Can't see Twardzik coming back short term unless Hollis or Gunnar is sold.

Couldn't get to the 20's 'big cup tie' today due to work but got a rundown on the Erwin situation re yesterday. Appears his registration with Arbroath didn't expire till yesterday so he was ineligible. Moore did not have a knock and Murray was fit as well (as per SM on his pre match interview). Whilst the sub issue yesterday is in all fairness a bit of a side issue vis a vis the result, it does show a complete lack of professionalism and or arrogance. Seems Erwin may have 'done' his cruciate from what I'm told.

It is 7 subs, reckon SM is keeping Moore and Murray 'rested' before the u/20's cup tie tomorrow. I fancy both these youngsters would have been happy to be in the squad for today.

I was going to start a new thread with the following article I found in the paper, but reckon this topic is suitable for it. Interesting reading, especially with regards to the German take on young players. http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/international/article3920605.ece

They have indeed ! IMHO the catalyst was the win at Ibrox. Since then they have grown in confidence and stature. Scott Leitch was with them in Inverness and I reckon this will be a great benefit to both the boys and JJ. Real test next week with a game against Celtic at FP.

Great 3-2 win for the U/20's in Inverness today. Behind twice came back to win with 2 late goals. 1-1 H/T. Moore, Leitch and Higgins scorers. Unashamedly followed and taken from Twitter,